From being a former British champion to being a racing TV commentator, James Whitham has successfully restored the Yamaha YZR500 race bike that first contested the Grand Prix 500 in 1995.
For two years, he carefully developed the motorcycle with TT race winner Lee Johnston. The bike was first shown to the public at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show 2025, where it was driven in front of enthusiastic spectators.
Yamaha YZR500 History
- From Serge Rosset, the man behind the ROC chassis
- Mula kay Serge Rosset, ang tao sa likod ng ROC chassis
- Used in a one-off race by Whitham at Donington Park
- Last fought in 1996 under Bernard Garcia
- Napunta sa iba't ibang may-ari bago muling natuklasan ni Whitham
Motorcycle Repair
- Frame and color restored to original from multiple collisions
- Airbox and bodywork repaired after severe damage
- Forks and wheels restored and checked for safety
- Machine guaranteed to be fine for use in parades
Despite the difficulty of finding parts and adjusting, the YZR500 was successfully operated on the first test. “You never know how a bike will turn out after a rebuild like this, but I'm happy with the outcome,” said Whitham.
